Overhead switch



Nov. 3, 1953 J, H. SWANBACK Erin, 3 5

OVERHEAD SWITCH Filed Feb. 17. 1950 2 Sheets-Shit; 1

Nov. 3, 1953 J. H. swANBAcK' EI'AL 2,657,643

OVERHEAD SWITCH 2 Sheets Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1950 mmv'rons jmaPatented Nov. 3, 1953 OVERHEAD SWITCH John Henry Swanback and Nels JensJensen,

Omaha; Nebn, assignors, by mesne assignments, to The Globe Company,Chicago, 111., a corporationof Illinois Application February 17, 1950,Serial No. 144,824

sclaims. (Cl. 104-99) The present invention relates to a switch and hasspecial reference to a turntable type of switch. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a switch intended for use in an overhead trackingsystem for switching trolleys from one track or rail to another.

It is common practice to employ overhead tracking conveyors in plants,such as packing plants, wherein the products being treated are conveyedthrough the plant on an overhead tracking system.

Such a system may'comprise rail suspended from the overhead or ceilingtogether with suitable switches. The rails generally include bothStraight and curved sections and may be formed from members of varioussizes and shapes. One type consists of steel bars of suitable dimensionsfor the intended load, such, for example, as 2%" or 3" in width, and toin thickness. The articles to be conveyed are suspended from trolleyscomprising a wheel for riding on the upper surface of the rails and adepending frame having at its lower end a hook or other device forsupporting the articles to be conveyed. The wheel is journaled in theupper portion of the trolley frame and the hook may be pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the depending frame at a point directlybeneath the trolley wheel.

Due to the depending trolley frame, the track hangers are all arrangedon the same or corre- Sponding sides of the track, so that one side al-Ways. remains unobstructed to permit the passage of the trolley frame.

The present switch is for use in an overhead tracking system havingtracks arranged at an angle to each other for readily witching trolleysfrom one track to another. The switches may be easily operated and areof simple, durable construction, requiring substantially no servicing.

An object of the present invention is to providea switch for an overheadtracking system for readily transferring a trolley from one track toanother without the necessity of backswitching.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch havingsufiicient clearance for the depending trolley frames.

A further object is to provide such a switch which of simple, durableconstruction.

A still further object is to provide a switch of the above type which ispositive-acting and may be readily and accurately set to desiredposition.

Further object and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and claims when considered with the accompanying drawings,in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a switch embodying the presentinvention, mounted in an overhead tracking system;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. l,suspended from the lower flange of an I-beam, the operating handle ofthe switch being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. --l is a top plan view of the switch partially in section, with theswitching member set 1 to direct a trolley straight through;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 with theswitching member in changedposition;

Fig. 6' is a perspective view of the movable switching member employedin the switch;

Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating possible applicationsof the switch in an overhead tracking system; and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 5' with the turntable and its pivotremoved.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown aturntable-type switch embodying the present invention intended for usein an overhead tracking system. The switch comprises a hanger I I havinga vertically arranged portion 2 with means, such as the plate I3 at itsupper end, to facilitate securing the hanger to the I-beam l4 shown inFig. 2 or other overhead construction. The plate It engages the lowerface of the I-beam. Clamps 15 are positioned over the lower flangesthereof and secured to the plate l3 by bolts It, passing throughsuitable apertures therein and being held in place by nuts H. Thevertical portion [2 is preferably offset so as to extend downwardly fromone end of the plate l3. At the lower end of the hanger ll there is atransverse portion or arm is extending to one side of the verticalportion l2, preferably in the general direction of the plate It. Theouter end of the arm [8 is provided with a vertically extending sleeve I9 having a suitable inner bearing surface, such as a bronze bushing,preferably formed integrally therewith.

The switching member may comprise a turntable 20, such as shown in Fig.6. This turntable consists of a plate which is substantiallysemicircular, although including slightly more than half a circle. Thus,it is rounded on one side and cut straight across at the other side. Theplate 20 is supported on a shaft 2| of a size to fit into the bushing ofsleeve l9. A washer 22 of bronze or other suitable material ispreferably positioned about the shaft 2| between the upper face of thesleeve I9 and the lower face of the turntable 20. A second washer 23 maybe positioned about the lower end of the shaft 2i and held in place byany suitable means, such as a cotter pin 24 inserted in the shaft 2!.The axis of the shaft 2| is preferably at the point where the radii ofthe curved portion intersect, being adjacent the middle of the straightside of the turntable but spaced therefrom.

Along the straight side of the turntable there is provided a guidemember 25, in the form of a rail, with the central portion depressedbelow the two ends. Thus, when a trolley is positioned on the rail 25will tend to remain there until intentionally moved. Other suitableguide means arranged to maintain a trolley thereon against accidentaldisplacement may be employed if desired.

Extending forwardly from adjacent the rear side of the sleeve IQ, oneach side thereof are a pair of wing portions 2'5. These wing portions21 are curved outwardly and forwardly so as to leave a substantial spacebetween them and the sleeve l9, except at the rear of this sleeve.Flanges 23 are provided at the outer ends of the wing portions 21 towhich aligned, spaced track portions 29 may be secured. In theembodiment disclosed, the track portions 29 are aligned, although ifdesired they could be at a slight angle to each other. In securing thetrack portions 2a to the flanges 28, such as by nuts and bolts, theinner ends of the track portions may be substantially flush with theinner surface of the wing portions 21. Accordingly, there is asubstantial distance between the inner ends of the track portions 29 andthe sleeve it. This distance is sufficient to provide clearance for thedepending frame of a trolley supported by the guide member or rail 25 asthe turntable 25 is moved to its various operative positions. Asexplained more fully hereinafter, in some installations only one trackportion 29 is required.

In the embodiment illustrated, the track portions 29 of the overheadtracking system are connecting to the fianges 2B of the switch. However,if desired, the track portions 29 may be provided as a part of theswitch and connected to the tracks of the overhead tracking system. Theoperation of the switch would be the same in either arrangement.

When the turntable is positioned as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 with therail 25 aligned with and substantially abutting the track portion is,the switch is in what may be termed a straightthrough position.

An additional track portion 38 at an angle to the track portions 29 issupported adjacent the switch in position to be aligned with the guidemeans or rail 25 on the turntable 2B. The track portion 36 may besupported from the overhead or ceiling by the usual hangers arranged onone side thereof, and need not be physically connected to the remainderof the switch, other than to substantially abut the rail 25 in oneposition of the latter.

The track portion 38 as shown in the drawings may be substantiallynormal to the track portions 29, although the angularity of the trackportions may be varied. As the rail 25 on the turntable 26 is preferablyarranged to one side of the axis of rotation of the turntable, the trackportion 3!] is not equi-distant from the track portions 29 but isarranged closed to one than to the other, as

shown in Fig. 5, depending upon the direction of rotation of theturntable in being moved from straight-through position to alignmentwith the track portion 30, which, for convenience, may be termedswitching position. This in turn will be determined by the location ofthe hangers for the track portions.

The hangers 31 for the track portions 29 and the continuations thereofare usually positioned on the same side of the tracks as is the hangerll of the switch. If the hangers 31 for the track 3!! are on theleft-hand side of the track, as illustrated in Fig. 8, the track portion38 will be closer to the right-hand track portion 29, as viewed in Fig.5, and the depending frame of a trolley moving along the track portion36 toward the switch will be on the right-hand side of the track 30.Accordingly, to transfer a trolley from the track portion 39 to thetrack portions 29, the turntable will be rotated from the position ofFig. 5 in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 4.Thereafter the trolley may be moved to either of the track portions 28.During the movement of the turntable with the trolley thereon, there isnothing to obstruct the depending frame of the trolley, as the wingportions 21 are spaced some distance from the sleeve l9.

If the hangers for the track portion 38 are on the opposite or righthand side thereof, the track 39 will be closer to the opposite orleft-hand track portion at, and the turntable 29 will be rotated in acounterclockwise direction to transfer a trolley from the track portion3 to either of the track portions 23.

Means are provided for rotating the turntable 28. As illustrated in thedrawings, this may comprise a link 3i pivotally connected at one end tothe underside of the turntable 29 by means of a pin or bolt 32, andpivotally connected at the other end to a lever 33, the latter in turnbeing pivotally mounted on a suitable support 34. With thisconstruction, movement of the handle to the left, as viewed in Figs. 1and 3, rotates the turntable in a counterclockwise direction, andmovement of the lever to the right rotates the turntable in a clockwisedirection, these directions being determined by viewing the turntablefrom above.

Stop means are preferably provided for limiting the movement of theturntable in either direction when the rail is aligned with the trackportions 29 or track portion 35. The stop means may consist ofprojecting lugs or members 35 and 36 on the rounded periphery of theturntable 2B.

. The lug 35 limits the movement of the turntable 2!: when the rail 2-5is aligned with the track portion 38 by abutting against the rear sideof the left-hand track portion 29 as shown in Fig. 5. The lug 35 limitsthe movement of turntable 20 in the opposite direction by abutting therear side of the right-hand track portion 29 when the rail 25 is alignedwith the track portions 29, as illustrated by Fig. 4.

In a construction wherein the track portion is supported by hangers onthe right side thereof (Fig. 7) the turntable 2i! will be moved in aclockwise direction from straight-through to switching position, and thelug or stop member 36 will be arranged at the opposite side of theturntable, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6-, for abutment against therear of the left-hand traction portion 29. In this arrangement the stopor abutment member will engage the right-hand track portion 2!! insteadof the left-hand track portion, as

. shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 and 8 show diagrammatically two applications of the presentswitch. In Fig. 7 the switch is arranged adjacent a corner. The hanger Hand the track hangers 31 supporting the track portions 29 are positionedadjacent one of the walls. The hangers 31 for the track portion 3|] arepositioned on the right-hand side of the track away fromthe'intersecting wall. With this construction, the left-hand trackportion 29 is not essential. -In transferring a trolley from the trackportion 30 to the right-hand track portion 29, the turntable will rotatein a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7. Itis to be noted that it would not be possible merely to provide a curvedtrack between the track portions 29 and 30 due to the oppositearrangement of the hangers therefor.

Referring to Fig. 8, a layout is shown in which the switch hanger II andthe hangers 31 for the track portions 29 are adjacent one wall, and thetrack portion 30 runs normal thereto. In this arrangement the hangers 31for the track portion 30 are on the left side of the track. Therefore,in transferring a trolley from the track portion 30 to either of thetrack portions 29, the turntable will rotate clockwise as indicated bythe arrow, permitting the trolleys to be moved on the track portions 29in either direction from the switch. In transferring trolleys from thetrack portions 29 to the track portion 30 the procedure above describedwould be reversed.

While we have shown a particular embodiment of our invention, it will beunderstood, of course, that we do not wish to be limited thereto sincemany modifications may be made, and we, there fore, contemplate by theappended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A switch for an overhead tracking system having at least three spacedangularly arranged track portions, comprising a support having anupright portion for being connected at its upper end to overheadconstruction, said support having adjacent its lower end a substantiallyhorizontally arranged bifurcated portion for connection at its outerspaced ends to two of said track portions and a turntable supportingportion intermediate the legs of said bifurcated portion, a turntable,means associated with said turntable and turntable support for pivotallymounting the turntable on its support, said mounting means and turntablesupport being spaced a substantial distance from the sides of saidbifurcated portion, said turntable having a substantially straight sidepositioned outwardly from the axis of said turntable at least as far assaid pivotally mounting means, a single substantially straight guidemember on said turntable adjacent the straight side arranged to be movedinto substantially abutting alignment with either of said track portionsto receive therefrom or guide thereto a trolley having depending frame,the distance between the flat side of said turntable and said trackportions being su'nicient to provide clearance for the depending trolleyframe of a trolley thereon.

2. A switch for an overhead tracking system having at least three spacedangularly arranged track portions, comprising a support having anupright portion for being connected at its upper end to overheadconstruction, said support having adjacent its lower end a substantiallyhorizontally arranged bifurcated portion for connection at its outerspaced ends to two of said track portions and a turntable supportingportion extending forwardly from the lower end of said supportintermediate the legs of said bifurcated portion, a turntable, meansassociated with said turntable and turntable support for pivotallymounting the turntable on its support, said mounting means and turntablesupport being spaced a substantial distance from the sides of saidbifurcated portion, said turntable having a.

substantially straight side positioned outwardly from the axis of saidturntable at least as far as said pivotally mounting means, a singlesubstantially straight side arranged to be moved into substantiallyabutting alignment with either of said track portions to receivetherefrom or guide thereto a trolley having depending frame, thedistance between the flat side of said turntable and said track portionsbeing sufiicient to provide clearance for the depending trolley frame ofa trolley thereon.

3. A switch for an overhead tracking system having at least three spacedangularly arranged track portions, comprising a support having an upperportion for being secured to an overhead construction, an uprightportion extending downwardly at the rear of said upper portion, asubstantially horizontally arranged bifurcated portion extendingforwardly from the lower end of said upright portion for connection atits outer spaced ends to two of said track portions and a turntablesupporting portion extending forwardly from the lower end of saidupright portion intermediate the legs of said bifurcated portion, aturntable, means associated with said turntable and turntable supportfor pivotally mounting the turntable on its support, said mounting meansand turntable sup-port being spaced a substantial distance from thesides of said bifurcated portion, said turntable having a substantiallystraight side positioned outwardly from the axis of said turntable atleast as far as said pivotally mounting means, a single substantiallystraight guide member on said turntable adjacent the straight sidearranged to be moved into substantially abutting alignment with eitherof said track portions to receive therefrom or guide thereto a trolleyhaving depending frame, the distance between the flat side of saidturntable and said track portions being sufficient to provide clearancefor the depending trolley frame of a trolley thereon.

JOHN HENRY SWANBACK. NELS JENS JENSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 272,432 Harrington Feb. 20, 1883 530,636 Bork et al Dec. 11,1894 624,302 Cook a May 2, 1899 1,435,608 Judd Nov. 14, 1922 1,632,558Moon June 14, 1927

